Gluten Free Irish Cream Brownies

Just in time for St. Patrick’s Day, these gluten free Irish Cream brownies are perfectly chocolatey and frosted with an Irish Cream buttercream!

irish cream brownies on a plate with shamrock scarf around them

Who doesn’t love brownies? But when they’re covered with an Irish Cream buttercream? Um, heck yeah!! I think pretty much anything with Irish Cream in it would taste amazing, but brownies are definitely up there on my yes, please list!

Making Gluten Free Irish Cream Brownies

These brownies have a wonderful brownie base that’s similar to that of a boxed mix. They’re as easy to make, as most brownies are, and take just a handful of ingredients:

  • Butter
  • Sugar
  • Eggs
  • Unsweetened cocoa powder
  • Baking powder
  • Salt
  • Irish cream liqueur
  • Kim’s gluten free flour blend–a store bought blend can be substituted, but hasn’t been tested
  • Chocolate chips

The incredible Irish Cream buttercream is made with just four ingredients:

  • Butter
  • Powdered sugar
  • Vanilla
  • Irish Cream

How to Cut Neat Brownie Slices

After spreading the cooled brownies with the Irish Cream buttercream in an even layer (an offset spatula is the best tool for this), put the pan in the fridge. Let it chill until the buttercream is firm, at least one hour.

Lift the brownies up and out of the pan with the corners of the parchment. Cut the chilled brownies with a sharp chef’s knife in rows, wiping off the knife in between cuts to keep the slices clean and neat.

Don’t Like Irish Cream?

If Irish Cream isn’t your thing, try changing up the liqueur. How about Kahlua? Kahlua brownies also sound amazing! Not a fan of Kahlua either? Amaretto is a great choice. Or Tequila Rose, RumChata, or Creme de Cacao. There are so many choices these days for cream liqueurs, I’d love to try them all!

Other Brownie Recipes

up close of brownies on plate with irish cream bottle in background

For St. Paddy’s Day or any day, these gluten free Irish Cream brownies are the best frosted brownies ever!

irish cream brownies on a plate with shamrock scarf around them

Gluten Free Irish Cream Brownies

Kim
Just in time for St. Patrick's Day, these gluten free Irish Cream brownies are perfectly chocolatey and frosted with an Irish Cream buttercream!
4.17 from 6 votes
Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 30 minutes
Course Dessert
Cuisine American, Irish
Servings 35 2-inch small squares

Ingredients
 

  • 1 cup (226 g) butter, melted
  • 2¼ cups (450 g) granulated sugar
  • 4 large eggs, at room temperature
  • 1¼ cups (100 g) unsweetened cocoa powder
  • 1 tsp baking powder
  • 1 tsp salt
  • 2 tsp vanilla extract
  • 1 tbsp Irish Cream liqueur* (see notes below)
  • 1½ cups (210 g) Kim's gluten free flour blend (a store bought blend can be substituted, but hasn't been tested)
  • 1 cup (150 g) semi-sweet chocolate chips

Irish Cream Buttercream

  • ¾ cup (170 g) butter, at room temperature
  • 1½ cups (170 g) powdered sugar, sifted
  • ½ tsp vanilla extract
  • 3-4 tbsp Irish Cream liqueur, or to taste

Instructions
 

  • Preheat the oven to 350° F. Line a 9 by 13-inch baking pan with parchment paper (or spray with nonstick spray). Set aside.
  • In a large bowl, mix together the melted butter and sugar until smooth. Add the cocoa powder and stir to combine completely. Add the eggs, one at a time, and mix until smooth. Blend the vanilla and Irish Cream into the batter.
  • In a small bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, and salt and add this to the brownie batter. Stir until almost fully incorporate and then add the chocolate chips and finish stirring just until fully combined.
  • Pour into prepared pan and use a spatula to spread it evenly. Bake for 30 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out with just a few moist crumbs attached. Cool completely on a wire rack.
  • In a small bowl, mix together the butter and powdered sugar until creamy. Add the vanilla and Irish Cream and continue to beat until light and smooth.
  • Spread the buttercream onto the cooled brownies in the pan. Using an offset spatula makes this easier.
  • Chill brownies for at least one hour. Cut into squares while still cold, and serve brownies at room temperature.

Notes

Brownies can be frozen by placing them on a baking sheet until buttercream is completely firm.  Wrap them well and freeze for up to 3 months.  
*In doing my research as to whether Irish Cream is gluten free, I’ve found that any gluten-containing ingredients in the whiskey used in Irish Cream has been removed through the distillation process.  The National Institute of Health’s Celiac Disease Awareness Campaign has stated that cocktails made with distilled alcohol are safe for celiacs to drink.  Irish Cream has never affected me, and my sensitivity to gluten is extremely high.  However, if you have problems with using Irish Cream, I would not suggest using it in these brownies.  It can be left out completely and the brownies will still be amazing, or you can use another liqueur that you feel does not affect you.  
Keyword brownies, Gluten Free, Irish Cream
Tried this recipe?Tag @letthemeatglutenfreecake on Instagram so we can see!


3 thoughts on “Gluten Free Irish Cream Brownies”

  • I’ve made these a couple of times. They are so, so good! They freeze beautifully so you can enjoy a treat whenever the mood strikes!

  • Hi Kim, these look amazing. Was just wondering about the Irish Whiskey. Bailey’s I thought is made from barley which would then make it not gluten free. I’ve read mixed comments about Bailey’s. It doesn’t say gluten free on my Irish Cream bottle so I wasn’t sure if we could actually have it. Was just wondering.

    • Hi, Sher! I understand your concern. I did some research before I used the Irish Cream and found nothing to suggest it would be bad for celiacs and I’ve never had a reaction (and I’m super sensitive to the tiniest crumb). However, I do understand the concern about the distillation process and have put a note at the bottom of my recipe stating that if you’re not comfortable using Irish Cream, you can always leave it out and the brownies will still be fantastic, or you can choose another option that you are more comfortable consuming.

      Thanks for sharing your concerns, and I hope I’ve addressed them well 🙂

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